Description
„When your heart is filled with Love, everything you create becomes an offering to the Lord“ Paramahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda
About the Retreat ☀️
Guruji teaches us that painting is a form of Bhakti—a devotional path through which we are guided by the connection in our hearts to the Divine. It offers a beautiful opportunity to express our inner values by depicting deities of our choice. Through this creative process, the mind becomes calm, focus deepens, and a sense of inner peace naturally arises. Images that emerge from this sacred space carry the glory of the Divine and can inspire and uplift others.
To support this inner journey, we will gather for daily prayers in our temple, take part in optional morning AKY practice, sing and chant mantras together, listen to satsang with Rishika Padmakshi, and engage in meaningful conversations that foster deeper self-awareness.
Our hosts are Devotees of Sri Swami Vishwananda since 23 years and lovingly share stories from the early days.
You will be gently guided through:For those who prefer a single room, we can arrange accommodation in a nearby hotel (approximately 200 meters away) at your own expense.
- Introduction to BM Art and its significance on the spiritual path, including why Guruji chose it as a form of practice
- Learning basic drawing and painting techniques, and creating your own artwork under gentle guidance
- Finding inner peace and reconnecting with yourself, experiencing the joy of creativity
- Turning inward through painting, prayer, singing, and mantra chanting
- Sharing meaningful conversations about our path with Paramahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda, devotional art, and spirituality
- Enjoying a relaxing time in silence, surrounded by the beauty of nature
Program
Intuitive Painting Seminar
Jaahnvi, a long-time painter and teacher of spiritual art at BM, will gently guide you into the creative process. Beginning with simple exercises and a variety of techniques, you will gradually be led toward more elaborate compositions, allowing you to create your own paintings—choosing deities or motifs that resonate with your heart.
We will immerse ourselves in the world of forms, colours, and shapes, starting with basic pictorial and graphic exercises, freehand drawing, and painting. Along the way, you will also learn about colours and how to mix them for your own artwork.
Retreat Schedule
9 August – Arrival Day
Arrival throughout the day
6:00 pm – Welcome meeting
7:00 pm – Light dinner
8:00 – 9:00 pm – Evening prayer and Shayan Arati
10–14 August – Daily Program
6:30 – 7:00 am – Morning practice
7:00 – 8:00 am – Breakfast
8:00 – 9:45 am – Morning prayer
10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Painting seminar
1:00 – 2:00 pm – Lunch
3:00 – 7:00 pm – Painting seminar
8:00 pm – Evening prayer
9:00 pm – Dinner
A detailed program will be provided to all participants.
15 August
Excursion on the Danube
16 August
Breakfast and departure
Details
Event dates
August 9 to August 16, 2026
Applications close
July 14, 2026 12:00 am
Notifications will be sent
July 20, 2026
Full payment is due
July 30, 2026
Teacher
Rishika Padmakshi
Rishika Padmakshi met Guruji in 2002, became a devotee in 2006, received Brahmacharini initiation in 2008, and was initiated as a Rishika in 2023.
By profession, she is a translator and interpreter and has been practicing Kriya Yoga since 1994. Since meeting Guruji, she has been inspired to go deeper into spirituality while integrating it into daily life in the world and sharing it through service.
She has been living in Vienna, Austria, for more than 20 years and served for many years as BhaktiMarga Country Coordinator (BMCC) for Austria. During this time, Guruji gave her the blessing to help establish His mission in Hungary. Guruji gave Darshan in Budapest in January 2017, and after this, His work in Hungary continued to unfold.
A small group of devotees and sangha members established a temple in the heart of Budapest, where weekly programs were held, including prayers, abhishekam, mantra, kirtan, and OM Chanting (OMC). At the same time, activities to spread His mission began in other parts of the country. In 2020, Guruji gave the blessing to find an ashram property. With His full support and grace, it was found within a short time and an old monastery near Budapest was purchased within a few months.
The renovation and temple construction took one and a half years, and in October 2023 Guruji inaugurated the Hemanga Vitthala Ashram and Temple. Since then, she has been living there permanently in His home, together with her sister Jaahnvi, taking care of the ashram, temple, and visitors, and offering regular weekly programs while continuing to spread Guruji’s mission in the country.
In this beautiful and family-like atmosphere, you are lovingly invited to spend time and experience the tranquility and serenity of this sacred place.
Jaahnvi
Jaahnvi is a spiritual painter and author by profession and has been devoted to this path since 1980. She met Guruji in Switzerland in 2002 and, in 2005, was initiated by Him as a Brahmacharini. In 2009, she moved to Springen to help build up Bhakti Marga Art. For many years, she led the art studio at Shree Peetha Nilaya as a painter and teacher, guiding various seminars.
Her spiritual and artistic life deepened profoundly after meeting Guruji. She had the privilege of living in the ashram for many years, and later nearby in Springen, where she continued her artistic work. She has participated in numerous artistic projects, both at Shree Peetha Nilaya and internationally, contributing especially to temple paintings.
With Guruji’s blessing, she has been living and serving at the Hungarian Ashram since 2022, sharing His teachings through her many years of experience. It is a joy for her to offer retreats like this, giving others the opportunity to experience devotional art in a peaceful and inspiring environment.
Participants
Who Can Join?
This seminar is open to everyone—no prior painting experience is needed. Love and devotion are the only guidance required to fully embrace this creative journey. Intuition and creativity enrich our lives and expand our perception on many levels. Experience the transformative power of creativity as it helps you connect with your inner, intuitive strength.
To conclude this special time together, we will enjoy a unique boat trip along the Danube through Budapest, visiting a charming town renowned for its arts and crafts.
Location & Accommodation
The Hemangha Vitthala & Rukmini Ashram, where the retreat takes place, is located about 50 km from Budapest, in a peaceful village within a former monastery. Our ashram and temple were inaugurated by Guruji in 2023.
Accommodation for matajis and prabhus is provided separately in shared rooms for 3–5 people*, each with a shared bathroom.
*For those who prefer a single room, we can arrange accommodation in a nearby hotel (approximately 200 meters away) at your own expense.
A spacious terrace adjoins the main building and will host part of the seminar. The entire complex is surrounded by a large garden—an oasis of peace and natural beauty. Here, you will experience a warm and family-like atmosphere. Beyond the garden, the property opens into a nature reserve, offering a deep sense of quiet that supports spiritual practice, prayer, and a gentle experience of Guruji’s inner presence, who spent three days here with us.
If you want to extend your stay at only 100€ per night after the Seminar, please get in touch with the Hungarian Ashram directly – and book your additional stay in this incredible nature reserve!
For questions please write an e-mail to: info@innerjourney.ch
Included in the price
- 7 nights stay (3-5 bed occupancy)
- Full retreat program including materials
- Daily vegan meals and beverages
- Transportation for excursions
- A full range of sangha activities
- Personal coaching while painting (max. 12 people)
Not included in the price
- Transportation to and from Budapest, Hungary
- Transportation to and from the the Airport to the Ashram (can be arranged upon request at your own cost)
- Tips
- Insurances (see below for details)
Registration procedure
- Before booking, please confirm that you are able to travel to Hungary
- Please only register for this event if you are able to pay the full fee of € 1180 by 30 June 2026
- Registration closes on 14 July 2026
- Directly after 14 July 2026, your application will be reviewed for final selection of participants. (See below for further details)
- You will be notified of the status of your application via email until latest 20 July
- If you are accepted into the retreat, you will receive an e-mail with payment instructions
- Your space can only be confirmed after we receive the full payment of € 1180
- Full payment is due no later than 30 July 2026
Health & Safety
All travellers are responsible for their own health and safety during this retreat.
- You must be in good physical and mental health.
- This retreat is not appropriate for physically impaired, disabled, or pregnant travellers.
- Travel health care and accident insurance
- Travel cancellation insurance (highly recommended)
